Nov 10, 2011 5:38 AM

I started running last last November and since then I have run a bunch of 5k's, 2 Half Marathons and my training took me to 13 miles on a couple of occasions.

In week 9 i was going to run 15 miles, but during the run I pulled my hamstring. I was pretty much unable to run for 5 weeks. I am now at week 15, of Hal Higdon's 18 week Novice 2 Program and I don't know if I can make up for the time that I lost. I plan on running 12 miles this Saturday and 15 miles the following Saturday. With 15 miles as my max run, Do I have a legitimate chance of being able to run the hole 26 miles?

I am trying not to psych myself out of doing this marathon (Las Vegas on December 4th)

Thank you for the responses. I am definitely worried about re-injury, especially since I am not one to "S-T-R-E-T-C-H" like I should.

Personally, I have a tendancy to have these great exciting plans and then find a reason why I cannot achieve my goal (e.g. Whoa is me - I might get injured).

Because I have trained all year for this, I am of mind to "Go Down Swinging" instead of meekly whimping out!

Phil - totally get that long 11 miles, but I am hoping that I can look at it as "wow.. only 11 miles to go and hope that momentum take me the distance" One good thing is: I may never find a flatter course. One bad thing though, there is a 4:30 time limit so the run / walk tactic may be flawed.

Tough break Grim to lose 5 weeks of training in the meat of the training plan. No wonder we haven't seen you posting in a while.

I'm looking at your half-marathon and 20K times --- this suggests to be that a best case scenario has you finishing a full marathon at around 4:20

Having lost so many long runs it will be very difficult to hit that 4:20 mark

Also, doing the 15 mile long run on Nov 20 may help you mentally but will do little to help you physically on Dec 4. The rule of thumb is that it takes about 3 weeks of time before a run physically helps you --- thus, the typical 3 week taper time prior to the race.

Also, in regard to stretching --- I do absolutely no "cold" stretching. If I stretch at all I make sure I am well warmed up.

I certainly am not going to tell you to run or not run but you do have quite a challenge before you.

I think the 4:30 time limit is wrong. I looked into this when I thought I might not be in shape to run my race last week, and I think it just has to do with the pacing of the marathon relative to the Half....notwithstanding what's on the website. Part of the course is on the "strip" and part is not. They close the streets on the part that is on the strip where you join with the half marathon, but the marathon starts like 2 1/2 hours before. So it ends up you have something like 7 hours total to finish....so a run-walk tactic might work, and sounds more do-able.

you can call Rock n' Roll and they can explain it better.

Best of luck however you decide!

"If you think you will fail or that you will succeed, you'll be right."

Try www.sportlyzer.com training planner - I use it and get visual manuals for all these exercises from there.

Now about racing. If you want to enjoy the race, take the half. If you want to accomplish your goal and finish a full marathon, you can also do it. But as others said run/walk might take some more time. Just make sure that you have enoght time for this. I would personally take a half, because if it's too hard you will feel like a hero, but are less likely to do it again. In terms of recreational sports I'd always prefer enjoyment and health to heroic deeds. This insures you long and regular running career.

I just talked to a scientist who had made a survey among recreational athletes and had found out that all regular and good level recreational athletes enjoy their exercising. At the same time those running for some shorter goals like losing weight or running their first marathon feel that it's hard. I think this might be the reason why many quit after achieving their goal and others keep doing it again and again. Eventually the latter are more successful, of course.